Janelle Monae - everything. New album soon! But, those new tracks kinda sucked Too much Prince, not enough James Brown.

Julian Priester - Love,Love. Deep.

Katatonia - Night is the New Day. Onward into battle!

Gato Barbieri - Bolivia/Under Fire. A Ken recommendation. Spiritual.

The Bulgarian Voices Angelite & Huun-Huur-Tu. Shrill a capella Bulgarian folk music meets Tuvan throat singing. This might be the most NPR album I own. It's pretty awesome.

Slugdge - Esoteric Malacology. The best slug-themed death metal band of all time returns with an epically awesome fourth album. All hail Slugdge!

Angra - Omni. After Mark's semi-glowing review, I was willing to give this one a chance, and I will grant that it's much better than the last two Angra albums, but god damn, Fabio fucking sucks. I mean, he's totally fine for Rhapsody or Labyrinth or whatever, but for Angra, he's the god damned worst and I hate him! Also, I really miss Kiko. Angra should retire.

Heavatar - Opus II: The Annihilation. Not half as good as Jester's Funeral, but the same idea (from the same guy) and anything that distracts him from the crime against humanity that is Van Canto has to count as a win.

Darkseed - Spellcraft. While (unsuccessfully) trying to sell John Frank on Jester's Funeral, I mentioned this band, whom I like for reasons I can't quite articulate, and that inspired me to give this a spin. It was their first album on Nuclear Blast and the first one I heard, and even though the playing is sloppy and the female singer is atrocious, there's something I just really dig about this band. I did not try to sell John on Darkseed, though. I know my limitations.

Ansur - Warring Factions. One of my favorite metal albums of the last 10 years. No one loves it like I do, but I don't care. What me and Ansur have is special and pure.

Fleshkiller - Awaken
Leprous - Malina - These are the best two CDs in my car, and have been for a long time, so they get a lot of play. I could use more variety, though.